My Ankle Surgery Experience: What Happened on the Day of My Operation
Checking In for Surgery
My surgery was scheduled for 2:00 PM on April 15, 2026. I was required to check in at 12:00 PM and stay NPO after 11:00 AM, with only clear liquids allowed after midnight. I arrived late because of traffic and checked in around 12:30 PM. A nurse had already called earlier to confirm I would make it before my surgery time.
Day of Surgery
While waiting for the nurse to wheel me to the OR
Pre-Op Prep
Once I checked in, I changed into a hospital gown. The hospital required all clothing to be removed before surgery and instructed me to shower beforehand with no lotions or deodorant. Around 1:00 PM, the nurse placed an IV line. The PA reviewed and took my surgical consent, and the anesthesiologist explained the anesthesia plan.
Heading Into the Operating Room
I wasn’t taken into the OR until about 3:15 PM. A PA first assistant greeted me when I arrived. As soon as I sat on the OR table, they started sedation. The last thing I remember was seeing the ceiling lights as I lay down.
Waking Up in the PACU
I woke up in the PACU around 6:30 PM, groggy but alert enough to recognize my husband waiting nearby. The nurses gave me crackers, ginger ale, and pineapple slices. I could barely stay awake, but I tried because I wanted to be ready to go home.
For clothing, I used tear‑away pants for easy dressing after surgery since I was only wearing a hospital gown.
Going Home After Surgery
My left leg was completely numb from the nerve block, but my right leg was fine. Around 8:30 PM, the nurse transported me by wheelchair to the lobby where my husband was waiting. I had to slide into the back passenger seat, and they gave me two pillows to elevate my left leg for the ride home.
My husband bought a sandwich for me to eat on the way, but I struggled to stay awake long enough to eat much of it. By 9:30 PM, I was home and officially starting the recovery phase.
If you’re preparing for ankle surgery or recovering from one, you’re not alone. Here is what I am currently using to help me recover.
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